INFANTILE PARALYSIS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12074, 27 February 1925, Page 7

INFANTILE PARALYSIS

GRANT OF £2OOO FOR RESEAP.CH WORK AT DUNEDIN, APPROVED BY CABINET. On the recommendation of the Minister for Health (Sir Maui Pom arc), Cabinet approved yesterday a giant of £2OOO for the prosecution of srxaal research work at Dunedin in relaricn to infantile paralysis. ■ 12 FREBH CABEB NOTIFIED NONE IN WELLINGTON CITY. Twelve fresh cases of infantile paralysis were notified' during the 24 hours ending 9 a.in. yesterday, as against 15 on Tuesday and 16 the day before. The cases were distributed as under. Auckland Health District, 3 —Whangarei, 1; Marsden, 1; Waitoa, i. Wellington Health District, 6 City. 0: Taihape, Opunake, Waverley, Stratford, Kiwitea, and Otaki, one each. Canterbury, 3—Christchurch City, 1; Pleasant Point, 1; Runanga, 1. Otago Health District, 0. Total for Dominion, 12.

MANY DISCHARGES PENDING ENCOURAGING REPORT FROM HOSPITAL DOCTOR. “AGONY’- PHOTOGRAPHS. It was reported at the meeting of the Wellington Hospital Board yesterday that there were 85 infantile paralysis cases under treatment in the hospital, all progressing satisfactorily. (Hear, hear.) Mr C. H. Chapman said he wished to take strong, exception to one matter. No photographer or newspaper should be permitted to exploit; the public in the hospital. He produced pictures published in an illustrated weekly of children suffering from infantile paralysis, and said he thought it disgrapeful that any newspaper in Wellinlgton should publish pictures of the sufferers in their agony and deformity. “I don’t know if the pictures were taken with permission, but I hope they will never be permitted to again take photos in our hospital.” (Hear, hear.)

Mr C. M. Luke said he had intended to bring the matter before the committee.

The chairman said , the authority wbb not given by any member of the board, and he knew nothing about the pictures until shown them a few days ago. Dr H. Baylden Ewen, acting-medical superintendent, said that was the first he had heardrAof the photos. He was on leave at the time.

MANY CASHS FOR DISCHARGE. Regarding the patiente, Dr Ewen said there had been no admissions in the last seven days. He expected that some 30 or 40 of those cases in the hospital would be discharged in the next two or three weeks. It was thought that probably there would be not more than 15 or 16 patients who would need treatment for a period of* several months. Those 15 or 16 were the ones who had been definitely and badly paralysed. Ultimately the effect of the epidemic would not really he very severe. (Hear, hear.)

TEACHERS’ PLAN HOME LESSONS FOR THE CHILDREN. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH. February 2b. At a meeting of five hundred Canterbury school teachers a plan was drawn up and approved for distributing home lessons to' scholars through the newspapers while the epidemic is on. The scheme will be;sent to the department for approval. In Wellington the students of the Girls’ College have received a syllabus of work to be done at home pending the opening of the college)

CASES IN OTHER PARTS. Per Press Association. STRATFORD, February 28. There are two cases of infantile paralysis in’ hospital—a girl of six and a boy of ten. The case of a boy. of 13, reported yesterday, terminated fatally to-day. GREYMOUTH, February 26. Another suspect, a girl yearn of age, has veen admitted to the Grey Hospital from Runanga. GISBORNE, February 26. A case of a boy, aged one ybar and eight months, residing in Gisborne, has been notified. The child was removed to the Cook Hospital. NAPIER, February 26. A case of infantile paralysis, a girl aged three and a half years, was admitted to hospital to-day.